BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox announced today that New York Yankees left-handed pitcher Tim Hill has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Tony Conigliaro Award.
The Tony Conigliaro Award, which recognizes a “Major Leaguer who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination, and courage that were trademarks of Tony C,” has been awarded every year since 1990. The former Red Sox outfielder, whose career was tragically shortened by a beanball in 1967, passed away in February of 1990 at the age of 45.
Voting was conducted by a 13-person committee comprised of Red Sox officials, Major League Baseball executives, media members, and a representative of the Conigliaro family. First-place votes were awarded to Hill (seven), Cleveland Guardians right-handed pitcher Nic Enright (three), Kansas City Royals right-handed pitcher Lucas Erceg (one), Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitcher Isaac Mattson (one), and St. Luis Cardinals catcher Yohel Pozo (one). Also receiving votes was Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Cade Cavalli.
“I am humbled and grateful to be recognized as this year’s recipient of the Tony Conigliaro Award,” said Hill. “Tony’s story is one of determination and resilience, two qualities I have always admired. One thing I’ve learned is that a little inspiration along with determination can go a long way. This award itself is a reminder that setbacks don’t have to define you. I’d like to thank the committee and the Conigliaro family for this award and for continuing to honor Tony’s legacy.”
Before Hill was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 32nd round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft, he lost his father, Jerry, to colon cancer at the start of his sophomore year of high school in 2007. In February 2015, during his first minor league spring training, Tim felt unusually exhausted after fitness tests, and blood work from his team physical led to further testing. That testing revealed the left-hander had Lynch Syndrome, which had been passed down from his father and led to a 50 percent chance that Tim would pass it along to his future children. A colonoscopy also revealed Hill had Stage 3 colon cancer at age 25, and he endured surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy to overcome the disease after his five-year survival rate was projected at 65-75 percent.
His chemotherapy lasted eight months and he fell from 220 pounds to 150, while he also took online classes to obtain his degree from Bacone College—where he finished his college career. He was declared cancer-free in late 2016 and returned to baseball, eventually making his Major League debut in 2018.
The 2025 season marked Hill’s eighth in the Majors, as he led the Yankees with 70 appearances and posted a 3.09 ERA (23 ER/67.0 IP). He is currently on the Yankees’ 40-man roster.
About Tony Conigliaro
A native of Swampscott, MA, Conigliaro hit a home run in his first at-bat at Fenway Park in 1964 at only 19 years old. A year later, he became the youngest player to lead his league in home runs when he hit 32 in 1965, his second full season in the big leagues. He also became the youngest American League player to reach 100 home runs when he hit number 100 at 22 years and 197 days old, just 65 days older than the Major League record holder, Mel Ott (22 years, 132 days).
Conigliaro’s early promise of greatness went unfulfilled after he was struck in the face by a pitch on August 18, 1967. The pitch fractured his left cheekbone, dislocated his jaw, and severely damaged the retina in his left eye. He missed the 1968 season but returned to play two more years in Boston, hitting a career-high 36 home runs for the Sox in 1970, when he also drove in 116 runs. He was traded after the season to the Angels, but declining vision led him to announce his retirement in 1971. He attempted another comeback for the Red Sox in 1975 but ended his career after playing in 21 Major League games.
Conigliaro suffered a massive heart attack in 1982 and died eight years later at the age of 45.
Tony Conigliaro Award recipients:
2025—Tim Hill, Yankees
2024—Cam Booser, Red Sox
2023—Liam Hendriks, White Sox
2022—Jose Cuas, Royals
2021—Trey Mancini, Orioles
2020—Daniel Bard, Rockies
2019—Rich Hill, Dodgers
2018—Stephen Piscotty, Athletics
2017—Chad Bettis, Rockies
2016—Yangervis Solarte, Padres
2015—Mitch Harris, Cardinals
2014—Wilson Ramos, Nationals
2013—John Lackey, Red Sox
2012—R.A. Dickey, Mets
2011—Tony Campana, Cubs
2010—Joaquin Benoit, Rays
2009—Chris Carpenter, Cardinals
2008—Rocco Baldelli, Rays
2007—Jon Lester, Red Sox
2006—Freddy Sanchez, Pirates
2005—Aaron Cook, Rockies
2004—Dewon Brazelton, Rays
2003—Jim Mecir, Athletics
2002—Jose Rijo, Reds
2001—Jason Johnson, Orioles; Graeme Lloyd, Expos
2000—Kent Mercker, Angels; Tony Saunders, Marlins
1999—Mike Lowell, Marlins
1998—Bret Saberhagen, Red Sox
1997—Eric Davis, Orioles
1996—Curtis Pride, Tigers
1995—Scott Radinsky, White Sox
1994—Mark Leiter, Angels
1993—Bo Jackson, White Sox
1992—Jim Abbott, Angels
1991—Dickie Thon, Phillies
1990—Jim Eisenreich, Royals